Free stopover in
Istanbul
Ancient bazaars, Bosphorus skylines, and empires layered across continents.
Turkish AirlinesAccepting bookingsVerified 17d ago
Touristanbul & Istanbul Stopover
4.3(847 reviews)
What You Get
Free Hotel Stay
2 nights at a 4-star hotel
Breakfast included
Free Tours & Experiences
- Touristanbul Guided Tours (3.5–11.5h)
Multiple themed routes (cultural heritage, modern Istanbul, Ottoman drama sets). 2026 refresh: hybrid/fuel-efficient buses with Wi-Fi, smaller group sizes, expanded Hagia Sophia and Topkapi access, cultural/heritage events (live music, art exhibitions). Covers Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, Dolmabahce, Bosphorus. Meals, transport, guides, and museum fees included. Register at IST Arrivals desk 30 min before tour.
Eligibility
Duration:20h - 168h layover (7 days max)
Classes:
EconomyBusiness
Routes:All international flights transiting via IST on TK-operated segments
Book by:72 hours before departure
Full terms▾
- Two distinct products that CANNOT be combined on the same trip, each with its own layover window: (1) Free Hotel Stopover for 20-72h voluntary layovers (the stored min/max connection 20h/168h applies to this product)
- Economy 1 night / Business 2 nights at 4/5-star; enhanced benefits — Economy 2N / Business 3N at 5-star — for pax from US, Canada, Mexico, Chile, Brazil, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, China mainland (PVG/CAN/PEK), Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia
- India (Mumbai/Delhi) added February 2026 at standard tier
- N and R fare classes are NOT eligible. (2) Touristanbul free guided tours for 6-24h layovers (no hotel)
- Tours now start and end at IST airport with dedicated desks; register 30 min before departure
- Ticket must start with 235 (TK carrier code); itinerary must be on TK-operated flights (not codeshares)
- One stopover per round-trip (outbound OR return)
- Must apply at least 72 hours before the flight on which accommodation will be provided
How it Works
- 1
Book an eligible Turkish Airlines itinerary
Your trip must route through IST (Istanbul) with a 20–168 hour layover. Eligible classes: Economy, Business.
- 2
Request the stopover
For hotel stopover: submit the online Booker form (last name + ticket number) at turkishairlines.com, or email the country-specific stopover address (no single global email). For Touristanbul: register at the IST Arrivals desk 30 minutes before tour departure — no pre-booking required.
- 3
Receive your voucher
The airline confirms your hotel and any included tours via email, usually within a few business days.
- 4
Enjoy Istanbul
Make your own way to the hotel (most cities have cheap metro/airport taxis). Take any included tours, then continue your journey.
Things to do in Istanbul
Hagia Sophia & Blue Mosque
Two of the world’s great domes, steps apart in the old city.
Grand Bazaar
4,000 shops of carpets, lanterns, spices, and tea.
Bosphorus ferry
A 90-minute ride between Europe and Asia for the price of a bus fare.
Traveler Reviews
4.3/5.0
847 reviews aggregated
weighted composite
79% positive9% negative
Based on reviews fromReddit (2)YouTube (1)TripAdvisor (2)Trustpilot (1)
Rating Breakdown
Hotel Quality30%
4.1/5Is the free hotel actually decent or a dump?
Perks Value25%
4.8/5How much is all the free stuff actually worth?
Ease of Claiming20%
3.2/5Will the airline actually respond to my email?
Destination Appeal15%
4.5/5Is this city worth visiting for 1-2 days?
Top Quotes
“Well worth it — a very good option if you have a couple of hours layover.”— TripAdvisor ↗
“They gave me a good hotel and organised everything for free.”— Trustpilot ↗
“Is a FREE Turkish Airlines Layover Worth It?”— YouTube ↗
“The Touristanbul Stopover Tour is not 'free' at all.”— TripAdvisor ↗
“Only codeshare ticket numbers starting with 235 are eligible for the free tour, and mine starts with 312.”— Reddit ↗
Pro Tips
- -Email at least 2 weeks before travel
- -Follow up after 48 hours if no response
- -Request specific hotel if you have a preference
- -The Bosphorus tour is better than the city tour
Recent Reviews
u/SupermarketOwn4996Reddit ↗
Positive(70%)There are two luggage storage facilities in arrivals next to the Turkish Airlines Hotel Desk — I paid 1,200 TL to store a carry-on and large suitcase for 47 hours. After booking, go to the Turkish Airlines website and enter your reservation details; if you qualify, you'll get a list of hotels to choose from. I picked Movenpick Hotel Istanbul Marmara Sea, a three-minute walk from the Marmaray metro line.
hotelbookingairport
Traveled: Mar 2025
u/Turkish_Airlines_userReddit ↗
Negative(60%)I have a 13-hour layover in Istanbul. The Turkish Airlines website states only codeshare ticket numbers starting with 235 are eligible for the free Touristanbul tour, and my ticket starts with 312.
eligibilitycodesharetour
Eat See RVYouTube ↗
Positive(75%)Liz and Dennis take advantage of the Turkish Airlines free stopover hotel on a 21-hour layover, explore the city, and weigh up whether the free perk delivers.
hotellayoverworth it
Traveled: Aug 2023
Touristanbul TripAdvisor reviewerTripAdvisor ↗
Positive(85%)Well worth it. It's a very good option if you have a couple of hours layover and want to make better use than hanging around at the airport. The tour itself is well worth it and we saw the old city.
free tourold cityrecommend
Touristanbul TripAdvisor reviewerTripAdvisor ↗
Negative(80%)The Touristanbul Stopover Tour is not 'free' at all. Flights with an 8+ hour stopover required for the 'free' tour cost approximately $200 more than shorter connection flights.
hidden costwait timemisleading
Turkish Airlines Trustpilot reviewerTrustpilot ↗
Positive(80%)When I arrived to Istanbul, they gave me a good hotel and organised everything for free. The hotel and food were excellent. A great benefit of flying Turkish.
hotelfoodfree
Compare with other programs
Compare →
Related guides
All Guides →AIRLINE GUIDE
Turkish Airlines Free Hotel in Istanbul: Complete Guide
Touristanbul tours, the cabin- and route-tiered hotel benefit, the fare classes excluded, and what the 2026 program refresh actually changed.
8 min read
COMPARISON
The 10 Best Airline Stopover Programs in 2026
Ten programs ranked on hotel value, eligibility breadth, and how reliably the airline actually delivers — updated for 2026.
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HOW-TO
How to Claim a Free Hotel During Your Layover
What "free hotel during your layover" actually means across carriers — and the three eligibility checks to run before you book.
7 min read
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Turkish Airlines stopover program really free?
Yes. Turkish Airlines covers a 2-night stay at a 4-star hotel in Istanbul for eligible passengers. You pay only for extras like meals, additional nights, and any tourist taxes.
Who is eligible for the Touristanbul & Istanbul Stopover?
Passengers flying Turkish Airlines with a qualifying layover in IST between 20 and 168 hours. Eligible booking classes: Economy, Business. Two distinct products that CANNOT be combined on the same trip, each with its own layover window: (1) Free Hotel Stopover for 20-72h voluntary layovers (the stored min/max connection 20h/168h applies to this product). Economy 1 night / Business 2 nights at 4/5-star; enhanced benefits — Economy 2N / Business 3N at 5-star — for pax from US, Canada, Mexico, Chile, Brazil, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, China mainland (PVG/CAN/PEK), Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia. India (Mumbai/Delhi) added February 2026 at standard tier. N and R fare classes are NOT eligible. (2) Touristanbul free guided tours for 6-24h layovers (no hotel). Tours now start and end at IST airport with dedicated desks; register 30 min before departure. Ticket must start with 235 (TK carrier code); itinerary must be on TK-operated flights (not codeshares). One stopover per round-trip (outbound OR return). Must apply at least 72 hours before the flight on which accommodation will be provided.
How do I claim the stopover in Istanbul?
For hotel stopover: submit the online Booker form (last name + ticket number) at turkishairlines.com, or email the country-specific stopover address (no single global email). For Touristanbul: register at the IST Arrivals desk 30 minutes before tour departure — no pre-booking required.
What is the maximum stopover length?
Up to 7 days. You can extend your layover without paying additional airfare, as long as it fits within the program's rules.
What free tours are included?
Tours offered: Touristanbul Guided Tours. Availability varies by season and requires advance booking through Turkish Airlines.
Do I need a visa to leave the airport in Istanbul?
Visa requirements depend on your passport. Many travelers qualify for visa-free transit, visa-on-arrival, or e-visa options. Select your nationality on this page to see the specific requirement for Turkey.
Is there a booking deadline?
Yes. You must request the stopover 72 hours before departure.
Quick Info
- Hub Airport
- IST
- Layover window
- 20h – 168h
- Booking classes
- Economy, Business
- Book by
- 72 hours before departure
- Official page
- View →
Visa Info for Istanbul
Choose your passport to see if you can leave the airport.
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$350+ free in Istanbul